“If you can’t beat them with your technique, beat them with your SOUL”
Anthony mcgill
Anthony and I were having lunch in September 2019 in Detroit, MI when I asked the question “What is (was) it like to be the first African-American principal player fo the New York Philharmonic?” Followed quickly by “and WHAT was your life like during those first years? The audition process? Tenure?” and most likely at least 68 other questions in short order….
What ensued was an unexpected deep and intimate conversation with Anthony shared stories, ideas, tools, and mindsets that he used to develop himself with intention into the human, citizen, and musician that he is today. I will forever remember our lunch ‘at the mall’ of September 2019 and when I began creating my podcast I knew that I wanted his voice to be part of it. Little did I know what was to unfold in 2020 and the impact that Anthony has had since.
Anthony’s response and initiative following the death of George Floyd - #taketwoknees - became a global beacon for musicians to express their solidarity.
Anthony was announced as a winner of the 2020 Avery Fischer Prize and used portions of the prize money to donate to Juilliard School’s Music Advancement Program (of which he is the artistic director) AND combined his resources with an additional gift from Weston Sprott (a trombonist with the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra and Dean of Juilliard’s preparatory division) to create a $100,000 scholarship fund. Bam. THAT is putting your flag down and making an impact and calling in others to contribute and do the same.
There were so many incredible topics to dive into - from social justice to empowerment of the artist and citizen musician. I can’t WAIT for you to listen and gain a deeper insight into one of our most incredible humans and musicians.
More about Anthony here